Bible Dictionaries
Christians

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

A name given at Antioch to those who believed Jesus to be the Messiah, A. D. 42, Acts 11:26 . It seems to have been given to them by the men of Antioch as a term of convenience rather than of ridicule, to designate the new sect more perfectly than any other word could do. They generally called each other "brethren," "the faithful," "saints," "believers;" and were named by the Gentiles, Nazarenes and Galileans. He only is a real Christian who heartily accepts Christ as his teacher, guide, and master, the source of his highest life, strength, and joy, his only Redeemer from sin and hell, his Lord and his God. They who rightly bear Christ's name and partake of his nature, and they only, shall finally share in his glory.

Bibliography Information
Rand, W. W. Entry for 'Christians'. American Tract Society Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/​dictionaries/​eng/​ats/​c/christians.html. 1859.